If you have an analytical nature and a desire to comprehend and work in the world of business and economics, earning a bachelor’s degree in finance is the first step to realizing your dreams. A online bachelor’s in finance can introduce you to a wide array of roles and diverse job opportunities in many industries other than finance.
The finance industry continues to bounce back after the Great Recession, which occurred from 2007 to 2010. This surge gives way to many finance-related jobs, from auditors and accountants to financial analysts and loan officers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates employment in financial and business operations to grow as fast as the median for all other occupations in the US, with about 476,200 new jobs between 2019 and 2029.
This article focuses on the top online bachelor’s degree programs in finance in the US. It offers all the information you need to break into the financial world.
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Article Navigation: What to Expect from an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance | Difference Between a BA and BS in Finance | Courses within an Online Bachelor’s in Finance Program | Bachelor’s Degree in Finance Careers | Salary and Job Outlook for Finance Career | Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance | Certification and Licensure Following an Online Finance Degree | Get Started with an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance! | Online Finance Degree Bachelor’s FAQs
What to Expect from an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance
An online bachelor's degree in finance is comparable to its on-campus counterpart. Several prestigious universities across the country offer programs and courses that boost academic involvement and develop critical skills — skills such as time management, a robust mathematical foundation, and the ability to understand, evaluate, and analyze data. These degree programs take about four years to complete full-time. Still, some institutes also offer an accelerated bachelor’s program to decrease the time for completion.
An online bachelor’s degree program offers various concentrations within the vast scope of a finance degree. It allows students to develop personalized skills based on their area of interest. Some of the typical concentrations include the following:
Financial Accounting
This specialization allows students to emphasize several core accounting concepts, such as analyzing an organization’s financial statements and making sound and informed decisions by interpreting data correctly.
Investments
This concentration focuses on security markets and investment vehicles and enables students to understand the different investment practices in play. Specialists in this domain usually pursue careers such as financial planners.
International Finance
Students who undertake this specialization garner knowledge that allows them to succeed in the global marketplace. They typically study overseas markets, trade structures, and foreign policy.
Risk Management
A specialization in risk management includes the art of analyzing, forecasting, and managing financial risks in investment decisions.
Corporate Finance
A focus in corporate finance entails learning about investments, capital structuring, financial planning, and many other financial strategies related to specific corporations.
Difference Between a BA and BS in Finance
Aspirants can opt for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in finance or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in finance. There are a few primary distinctions between the two. A BA offers an all-encompassing education that includes courses in several other areas (an option that typically appeals to individuals looking for graduate school). A BS, in contrast, portends a greater emphasis on the study of finance itself (an option usually chosen by students who intend to go into the workforce directly).
Courses within an Online Bachelor’s in Finance Program
A bachelor’s degree in finance deals with various courses designed to teach students the fundamentals of financial planning. Classes cover topics on laws, accounting, data analysis, investments, economics, portfolio management, and statistics. They form a fine mixture of finance-specific and business-specific courses and introduce students to both the theoretical concepts that shape financial policies and decisions and the practical skills that influence employment settings.
Some standard courses that several online bachelor’s degree programs offer to students include the following:
Business Law
Several federal laws regulate the working of many US financial and business systems. The Business Law course provides an overview. The curriculum focuses on international and local regulations and teaches students about torts, employment law, contracts, and other relevant legal issues.
Business Communication
The business communication course helps students develop better communication skills to effectively interact with coworkers, supervisors, shareholders, prospective clients, and other professionals through email, videoconferencing, presentations, and memos. Such skills allow them to command attention and persuade others with their eloquence. The curriculum may primarily focus on business report writing.
Ethics in Finance
Innumerable finance organizations and companies have fallen prey to unethical financial practices. This course helps students overcome this pitfall by covering ethical decision-making in business. The curriculum teaches ways to cultivate an ethical workplace environment, make moral choices, protect the work environment through constructive and sustainable practices, and operate within the law.
Economic Analysis
This course compels students to learn how to evaluate economic data to make solid and beneficial business choices. It also talks about the macroeconomics and microeconomics of finance. It allows students to explore the various software applications that may prove fruitful in financial analyses.
Financial Accounting
Financial accounting helps introduce students to the basics of accounting and its significance in the success of an organization. Students can also develop practical skills to keep track of their financial records and theoretical notions.
Global Finance
Business and financial dealings often occur across international markets. Thus, this course covers the basics of transactions outside your home country. It also teaches students exchange rates, worldwide financial regulations, international trade, and how to work with people internationally. Students may also practice using cultural sensitivity when working in diverse settings.
Introduction to Real Estate
Students with a degree in finance may opt for a career in real estate. This course prepares them for exactly that by introducing primary real estate concepts such as contracts, appraisals, market analysis, and loans.
Investment Portfolio Management
Like real estate, students with a degree in finance may opt for a job managing financial investments and assets for individuals or companies. This program thus prepares them to understand the basics of investment portfolio management, such as stocks, asset selection, risk management, and diversification.
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance Careers
Individuals with a finance degree can opt for several career paths. Finance is a diverse domain, and thus opting for a degree in this area does not restrict you to one job position. Those with a bachelor’s degree in finance can opt for a career in taxation, insurance, risk management, accounting, and various other areas.
The most common career paths related to finance and their respective salaries are as follows:
- Actuary – $108,350
- Personal Financial Advisor – $87,850
- Financial Analyst – $81,590
- Financial Examiner – $81,090
- Budget Analyst – $76,540
- Accountant – $71,550
- Auditor – $71,550
- Insurance Underwriter – $70,020
- Loan Officer – $63,270
- Real Estate Appraiser – $57,010
- Real Estate Agent – $50,730
(BLS Statistics, 2022)
The salaries, as mentioned above, are simply a median value for the entire country but can vary significantly depending upon an individual’s education, experience, organization, and geographical location. Those with specialized degrees, such as an MBA or Ph.D., have higher average salaries.
Salary and Job Outlook for Finance Career
According to PayScale.com (an online salary database), students with a bachelor’s degree in finance earn about $53,300 during their first five years. Their salary can increase to about $93,200 after ten years in the workforce.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows the median annual compensation in May 2020 for business and financial occupations as $72,250, higher than the median yearly salary for all other occupations of $41,950. In addition, it predicts employment opportunities in finance and business operations to increase by 8% between 2020-2030, which is almost as fast as the average for all occupations. The career outlook for aspirants looking to find opportunities in the finance sector is promising, with a projected increase of about 750,800 new jobs. The primary factors behind this increase are a growing economy, globalization, and a complex regulatory and tax environment.
In addition, the ever-growing increase in market research and the use of data for understanding product demand and buying patterns of customers and evaluation of marketing techniques will further pave the way for market research analysts and other professionals in the finance sector.
Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance
1. Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance – Florida International University
Located in Miami, the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business and FIU Online offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance that you can complete online. This program provides students with the best financial knowledge in several primary domains, including risk management, international finance, investments, and banking. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits this degree, and students can complete it with 120-credit hours. The requirements consist of 60-lower-division-credit hours of pre-core business courses and general education along with 60-credit hours of upper-division classes in finance and business.
This program prepares students for a promising career in postgraduate finance study, the finance sector, or any related area. Students with a 2.50-grade point average (GPA) overall and in the lower division prerequisite courses are eligible for the program’s upper division. In addition, applicants with an associate degree from an accredited institution in Florida are also qualified to apply to the upper-division program directly. The program unfolds entirely online and offers classes asynchronously. However, students are encouraged to participate in online orientations, access school resources, and join online student clubs to drive engagement during their studies.
Students can apply for this program in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Some finance program courses include the following:
- International Financial Management
- Commercial Bank Management
- Intermediate Finance
- Securities Analysis
- Financial Risk Management-Financial Engineering
- Financial Markets and Institutions
2. Bachelor of Science in Finance – Missouri State University
Located in Springfield, Missouri State University (MSU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance accredited by the AACSB. This Bachelor in Science program consists of 120-credit hours and is completable with four years of full-time study. In the first two years, the program primarily focuses on general education credits in mathematics, English, and humanities, along with finance and business foundation courses. Students who cannot score a 2.50-grade point average (GPA) in the required core courses cannot continue to the finance program. The final two years require more advanced and specialized business and finance coursework.
Students at MSU work with unique electives, such as a preparatory course for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I exam, international or domestic study away options at partner schools, a finance research course, and an internship. The program also coaches students about the primary models and theories that govern the significant areas of finance, such as management, accounting, and quantitative analysis. Students interested in becoming Certified Financial Planners (CFPs) can also benefit from a specially offered Financial Planning track.
3. Bachelor of Science in Banking and Financial Services – Northern State University
Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Northern State University (NSU) offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Banking and Financial Services. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits this 120-credit-hour program. The focus is on community and commercial banking information and tools such as bank operations, regulation, investments, and lending. Online students can also complete a double major in a relevant field, such as Marketing, Accounting, or an optional minor in Agribusiness. The faculty at NSU boasts extensive expertise in this field and even connects students with local banking work opportunities both during and after the program.
Students can complete this program 100% online and simultaneously apply to NSU travel and internship programs. The curriculum comprises 30-general education credit hours, 24-banking and financial services credit hours, and 48-credit hours of business core courses. Due to the university’s size, the program offers a good selection of elective courses. Students can attain specialized education in a field according to their skills, interests, and life objectives.
4. Bachelor of Science in Finance – Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance comprising 120-credit hours and can be completed in four years of full-time study. However, applicants with a prior university or college education can transfer up to 90-credit hours towards the degree requirements. Accredited by ACBSP, this program focuses mainly on decision-making, financial analysis, forecasting, and financial planning. Students can also take the optional concentration in Financial Planning and learn about retirement savings, taxes, investments, and estate planning. This concentration is the only CFP-board approved specialization in New Hampshire and meets all educational requirements to take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam.
Graduates of this program can find employment opportunities as bankers, risk analysts, financial analysts, or consultants. High-achieving students can transfer senior credit hours to the accelerated Master of Science (MS) in Finance or MBA programs to attain a graduate degree in one year. The institute offers multiple start dates for this program throughout the year. Some finance program course samples include the following:
- Financial Markets
- Multinational Corporate Finance
- Corporate Finance
- Wealth Management
- Financial Regulations and Ethics
- Fundamentals of Investments
5. Bachelor of Science in Finance – The University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance, either wholly online or combined with hybrid courses that entail in-class instruction at partner campuses across the country. AACSB accredits this 120-credit-hour program. Students can transfer up to 90-credit hours from their previous studies. The course requirements include:
- 36-credit hours in the central area
- 41-credit hours of general education
- A senior capstone project
This program teaches the essential skills for various areas of finance, such as managing portfolios, preparing and assessing financial statements, and using up-to-date technology tools to make financial decisions. The institute recommends that students complete a complementary minor, such as Marketing or Human Resource Management, and provides a specialized Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam pathway. This pathway meets the standard educational requirements to qualify for the CFP examination.
Graduates can find employment opportunities in corporate and government finance, banking, portfolio analysis and management, and several other areas of the finance industry. Some finance program courses include the following:
- Security Analysis and Valuation
- Money and Banking
- Business Finance
- Financial Analysis
- Management and Organization Theory
- Investments
- Principles of Accounting
- Financial Management
- Risk Management
- International Finance
6. Bachelor of Science in Finance – The University of Minnesota – Crookston
Located in Crookston, the University of Minnesota – Crookston offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits this program as either entirely online or in combination with on-campus classes in Crookston. The curriculum for online students is the same as the on-campus program. It requires a 120-credit-hour curriculum divided into 40-credit hours of finance core courses, 22-credit hours of core business classes, and 40-credit hours in liberal arts. Students can also attain a double major or related minor in Agricultural Business, Accounting, Management, or others.
The financial portion of this program educates students about the financial tools and theories essential to assess and evaluate corporate and consumer financial requirements, devise financial statements and plans, and comprehend the ethical and legal environment of financial services. The institute offers courses in an asynchronous format, allowing students to access study materials and finish their assignments at a time suitable for them.
Graduates of this program can find employment opportunities in corporate, personal, or international financial management (such as investments and banking, real estate, or financial consulting) or even related government agencies. Some finance program courses include:
- International Financial Management
- Insurance and Risk Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems
- Money, Financial Markets, and Institutions
- Estate Planning
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Modeling and Valuation
- Business Ethics
- Business Analytics
- Investments
7. Bachelor of Science in Financial Management – Upper Iowa Univeristy
Located in Fayette, Upper Iowa University’s School of Business and Professional Studies offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Financial Management (FM). Completable entirely online, the degree comprises 120-credit hours. The institute provides courses asynchronously in eight-week blocks throughout the summer, fall, and spring terms. This program teaches students the necessary individual and teamwork skills, among others. Such skills help in preparing and evaluating financial statements, analyzing economic opportunities, and conducting financial analysis and management. Graduates can excel in various environments ranging from small businesses to international organizations.
Employment opportunities include personal or corporate financial advisors, financial operations analysts, and financial services managers. Students who wish to seek a graduate degree can complete up to 12-credit hours of MBA coursework during their senior year through UIU’s MBA Link program. Some standard finance program courses include the following:
- Personal Financial Management
- Corporate Financial Management
- Options, Futures, and Derivatives
- Intermediate Financial Management
- Money and Capital Markets
- New Venture Finance
- Investments
- Bank Management
8. Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance – The University of Houston Downtown
Located in Houston, the Marilyn Davies College of Business at the University of Houston – Downtown (UHD) offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in finance. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits this 100% online degree. The same faculty members who conduct on-campus classes in Houston teach the online program with similar textbooks and syllabi. Students can also complete a complementary minor in Marketing, Accounting, or Economics, but it is not compulsory. Through full-time study, students can complete this degree in four years. Still, students must take general education and prerequisite courses in the first two study years before applying to the BBA at the end of their second year.
This degree prepares students for employment opportunities in investment management, financial management, and banking. It also enables them to take further professional study courses, or to take exams for professional credentials such as Certified Treasury Professional (CTP), Chartered Financial Planner (CFP), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Some standard finance program course samples in this program include the following:
- Behavioral Economics and Financial Decision-Making
- Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning
- Commercial Bank Management
- Quantitative Methods in Finance
- Money, Markets, and Institutions
- Treasury Risk Management
- Derivative Securities
- International Finance
- Investments
9. Bachelor of Business Studies in Finance – Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University (DBU) is located in Dallas, Texas, and offers a variety of online business degree programs. Its College of Professional Studies offers an entirely online Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) in Finance taught by the same faculty as the on-campus degree program. With four years of full-time study, students can complete this 120-credit-hour degree which the ACBSP accredits. The curriculum comprises a wide range of general education credits and 30-credit hours in finance. Enrollment requirements include a high school diploma or GED and completion of the Math Advising Tool (eMAT).
This BBS in Finance allows students to understand corporate and financial accounting in-depth. Furthermore, courses cover management, security, and several other areas through the finance electives. Such classes allow students to attain specialized knowledge in a field of their interest. This flexible program primarily caters to the needs of older students by teaching the courses in an asynchronous class format. This allows students to complete their coursework at a convenient pace.
Students with at least 24-credit hours of a previous technical college education are eligible for the inverted degree program. This program reduces some of the upper-level credit hour requirements. Some typical finance program courses include the following:
- Principles of Managerial Accounting
- Principles of Financial Accounting
- Information Systems for Management
- Corporate Financial Management
- Business and Public Law
- Principles of Management
- Principles of Marketing
- Securities Analysis
10. Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance – Canton State University of New York
The Canton State University of New York is also known as the State University of New York – Canton or SUNY Canton. Its School of Business and Liberal Arts offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Finance for students interested in learning about insurance, financial planning, and banking. Students have the flexibility to take classes either entirely online or with some face-to-face, traditional courses. The International Accreditation Council for Business Education fully accredits this degree.
The program prepares students by featuring hands-on projects in global and domestic investment. They also take risk management courses that broaden their skills. In addition to training in accounting and finance, students develop a robust foundation in liberal arts and participate in a financial services internship for one semester. There, they have access to an investment club that allows them to work with financial market investments. Admission requirements for this program include ACT or SAT scores and an introductory English writing course. Some typical finance program courses include the following:
- Financial Management
- Global Finance
- Financial Institution and Market
- Global Economy
- Financial Derivatives
- Global Investment
Certification and Licensure Following an Online Finance Degree
Whether online or on-campus, individuals with a degree in finance can increase their competency as financial professionals by attaining industry certifications and licensures. These credentials allow professionals to demonstrate their expertise in financial matters. It helps employers trust that they have the knowledge to handle the company’s finances. Let us look into some common and highly sought-after financial certifications that a finance graduate might want to pursue:
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
The CFA Institute offers this highly sought-after credential for financial analysts. This distinction requires extensive study, four or more years of professional expertise, and a standard score on the CFA Program examination.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Individuals with substantial education and practical experience as financial planners can take this examination and achieve certification from the CFP board. Financial planners must also subscribe to a strict code of ethics to qualify.
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
The Institute of Internal Auditors offers the credentials of the CIA to internal auditors who pass this examination, provide character references, and testify to their professional and ethical conduct.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants provides CPA credentials to those with 150-credit hours of education in accounting. Candidates must also attain practical experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA and obtain a good score on a rigorous examination. However, the licensure requirements can vary from state to state. Aspirants can take the Uniform CPA Exam, which consists of four parts, over one and a half years.
Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
The Global Association of Risk Professionals offers an FRM certification that aspirants can attain by passing a two-part examination. The exam requires professional experience and can help candidates advance their risk management career by leaps and bounds and achieve the respect of corporations and banks.
Get Started with an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance!
Virtually no domain in the business or government sector remains untouched by the realities of finance. Because of this, the sky’s the only limit for those looking for a career in finance. A bachelor’s degree in finance is the first stepping stone if you want to pursue one of the highly sought-after careers in today’s world: accountants, auditors, personal financial planners and advisers, financial analysts, insurance underwriters and adjusters, loan officers, and many more.
Whatever your choice may be, you can pursue it by getting started with an online bachelor’s degree in finance. The resources on GetEducated.com can help you learn more and make an informed decision about your career choice and education path.
Online Finance Degree Bachelor’s FAQs
Question: How long does it take to earn an online bachelor’s degree in finance?
Answer: Similar to various other bachelor’s degree options, the standard completion time for an online bachelor’s degree in finance is four years of full-time study. Most programs span between 120- to 128-credit hours for institutions with a semester-based calendar.
Question: What is the coursework for an online bachelor’s degree in finance?
Answer: An online bachelor’s degree in finance primarily comprises foundational and upper-level core courses and electives.
Question: How much does an online bachelor’s degree in finance cost?
Answer: An online bachelor’s degree in finance typically costs between $200 to $600 per credit for in-state and out-of-state students. The total tuition expense ranges between $24,000 to $75,000.